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(No Mode 1;) 4 Sheets-:Sheet 1.. W. P. DOWNEY.

, CARRIAGE. No. 532,649. Patented Jan. 15, 1895.

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W. P. DOW'NEY. CARRIAGE.

Patented Jan. 15,- 1895.

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CARRIAGE.

Iiiiu i diliiiiiiiiiill TN: nonms PETERS co, ruo'rau'mm. wuumarom a. c.

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Unitas STATES- rrrca.

CARRIAG E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 532,649, datedJ'anuary15, 1895. I Application filed December 30. 1893. Serial No. 495,195. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. DOWNEY,

Washington city, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Carriages; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a-full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in carriages, particularly tothat kind known as close carriages, .landaus, &c., the bodiesof whichare spring-supported, and which, as

now constructed, are made Very heavy, by reason of the present mode ofconstruction, making it necessary in order to give the sufficientstrength. t

The object of this invention is primarily to make it possible to buildsuch carriages much lighter in weight without sacrificing strength, andalso to lighten the draft.

It is a further object of my invention to so construct a carriage thatthe length of the carriage over all may be coupled up from twenty-two(22) to thirty (30) inches shorter than has heretofore been possible,yet still retaining the graceful lines which must 'be present in closecarriages, lan'daus, and carriages of similar types.

My invention further consists in so constructing the carriage that whenvthe horses exert the pull or draft they will not be required to expendunnecessary energy,- and to this I accomplish not only lightening theweight considerably, but by so distributing the fweight of the body ofthe carriage, that a proportionate part thereof shall be borne by thefront and rear axles, which at present is not the case. As new built,the rear axle sustains about seven-eighths (if) of the entire weight.This I have found from long use and repeated experiment causes a Veryheavy drag which I have succeeded in overcoming by placing the king boltat such a point that it will act as a fulcrum, the carriage body beinghung as a lever. The

foot-board, drivers seat, and boot, instead of being rearward of theking bolt and bolster are placed forward thereof, so that the weight ofthese parts, together with that of the driver and footinan, which haveheretofore been all thrown on the rear axle are removed therefrom, andat the same time act as a counterbalance for the weight of the body andits occupants. The long neck connecting the drivers seat, boot, the,with the body has always been a weak point, and not unfrequently hasgiven way under the strain to which carriages are subjected,notwithstand ing the fact the bodies were constructed of such heavymaterial, which was necessary owing tothe long coupling.

In my construction all long reaches are avoided, and thereby I amenabled to make the whole structure much lighter thus saving the drawingof unnecessary dead weight.

An improved construction of rocker is one of the essential features ofmy invention in order to make the foregoing results'possible. By usingmy improved form of rocker I can reduce their size, and at the same timeretain all the necessary strength and the graceful lines which it isnecessary to preserve.

The invention further consists in so arrang- I ing and constructing thesprings supporting the body that the pull exerted on them shall not befrom the top of the springs only but along their mean axes. Suchconstruction of the springs on the front axle causes the pull to beequally divided between the springs on front and rear axlesrespectively. By this arrangement of the springs and carriage body thepull is through the middle line of the springs and the body, and therebythe effect of a perch pole is obtained. This cannot be accomplishedwhere the pull is on the top of the springs only.

A further object of this invention consists in providing means forclosing the doors to a point at least within. theline of the hubs, afterthey have been opened, so as to prevent breakage which is so common; andfurther to provide said doors with vertically sliding counterbalancedsashes and means forsupporting the window in an elevated position whichshall effectively prevent the weather from entering the carriage on theinside of the door and at the same time make a neat finish.-

My invention finally consists in certain features of construction andcombination of parts as will be more fully pointed out in the claims.

In connection with the carriage I have shown an improved brake mechanismand a horse detaching device, but I do not make claims thereto in thisapplication, but I have filed applications simultaneously herewithcovering said improvements, the brake mechanism being numbered 495,196;the horse detacher being numbered 495,197.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is across section. Fig. 3 is a detail of the receptacle for holding thefront lights. Fig. at is a detail of one of the windows. Fig. 5 is adetail of the'hinged front top section. Fig. 6 is a plan View of one ofthe rockers. Fig. 7 is a side view of one of the rockers. Fig. 8 is adetail of a portion of the rocker. Fig. 9 is a cross section of therocker. Fig. 10 isa detail perspective view of the drivers seat boot.Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the holder for front lights.Fig. 12 is a detail of one of the front springs. Fig. 13 is a detail ofthe pole. Fig. 14v is a detail of the door closing device.

Like figures of reference indicate like parts wherever they occur.

1, 1, are the wheels of the carriage.

The body 2, of the carriage, is supported by the springs 3, upon theaxle 4., and the springs 5 upon the rear axle 6. The springs 3, 5, areclipped to the axles in the usual manner. I arrange both the front andback springs in line with each other, and I construct the front springin a different manner than those in common use. \Vhile the spring 3 isclosed and performs the function of an elliptic spring, I turn the frontend up slightly above point of hinging of the rear portion of saidspring. To the front upturned portion 7, I attach a tongue or tang 8,preferably of spring, metal, and this tang is clipped to the stay bar 9.The spring 3 is clipped to the bolster 10 and the front axle 4 in theusual manner. The lower half of the rear springs 5 terminates in a C endand to it the upper half is shackled, and the upper portion is clippedto the rear side bars 11 which are preferably composed of metal, and aresecurely bolted to the rocker 12. The rocker 12 is made much lighterthan has been possible heretofore owing to the fact of the long couplingwhich has been practiced, and also owing to the doing away with theangles found in the rockers now in use. I have entirely dispensed withangles, and have constructed the rocker forming it by uniting curves insuch a way as to give much stronger effect to the materials used.Alongside of the wooden rocker 12, is a metallic rocker 13 of the sameconfiguration, which can be made quite thin, yet sustaining much weightbecause the strain is upon the edge of the metal. At suitable intervalswhere the side bars 11, 11* are bolted to the wooden rocker12,lips areformed upon the metallic rocker 13, which extend across the woodenrocker and receive the end of the securing bolts 12, thereby impartingmuch strength to the wooden rocker 12. The front side bars, 11, arebolted to the rockers 12, 13, in a similar manner to the rear side barsand extend forward to the bolsters to which they are united in anysuitable manner. The fifth wheel is of the usual construction,but itslocation forms an important part of this invention, as the possibilityof lightening the weight of the entire carriage is dependent upon thisas will fully hereinafter appear. The king bolt and fifth wheel arebrought into close proximity to the body of the carriage. The side bars,11, from the point of their attachment to the bolster extend upwardly ina graceful curve to form the brace for the foot board, and anotherbranch forms the seat sup port. The seat 14 which is directly over theking bolt, because of the rearward direction of its support being unitedwith the other branch of side bar 11 forward of the king bolt throws allof its weight infront of said king bolt and bolster. This constructiontakes a very great weight off from the rear axle 6, which heretofore hassustained about seven-eighths of the weight of the carriage.

The effect of a reach or perch pole in long coupling, as heretoforepracticed, has almost entirely failed to supply that much neededstrength. It will be observed that the line of pull in my carriage isthrough the mean line thereof and of the springs, 3 and 5. The springstogether with the side bars 11 and 11 and the rockers 12, 13, form avery still": and effective perch pole, as the pull is through the majoraxes of the elliptic springs, and not from the top only as is the casewith an ordinary elliptic spring. The peculiar construction of the frontsprings 3 causes them to-pull equally with the rear ones. The king boltbeing situated at a point rearward of where the weight of the driver,footman, the drivers seat, boot, and foot-board rests, said springs 3and the axle 4, are thereby caused to bear their share of the weight ofthe body. It is on account of this change that I am enabled to so muchreduce the weight of all the parts while still retaining all thestrength needed. By elevating the foot rests 15, and the drivers seat14, I am enabled to couple up from twenty two to thirty inches shorterthan has been possible heretofore. The king bolt, owing to the fact thatthe bodyis spring-supported, and the weights as heretofore stated aredistributed on either side of it acts as a fulcrum, the weight forwardtending to take the weight of the carriage and its occupants off fromthe rear springs 5, and rear axle 6, which has heretofore not been thecase. The drivers seat 14; is provided with a hinged cover and isdesigned to take the place of the usual boot. The seat may be tiltedover in order to lower the front section of the top in the usual way.

The carriage body is framed upon the rockers 12, 13, having its sides,ends, and general construction the same as usual, but as I haveheretofore stated its weight is much reduced. The doors 2 areconstructed hollow as is generally the case. but I propose to use acounterbalance sash 17, which slides in vertical ways 18, and has cords19 which pass around pulleys 20, and to the end thereof is secured thecounterbalance weight 21. A pair of hinged covers 22, 23 support thewindow. in an elevated position, while a portion of the frame of thewindow remains in. the door to steady it when the door is opened. Ahandle 24 havinga cam'25 adapted to open the hinged covers 22, 23, islocated inside the door. These covers form a uniform finish in theinside and outside and completely protect the inside of the door fromanything dropping into it, as well as excluding the weather completelyshedding rain.

Among the most annoying and expensive accidents which happen tocarriages is the frequent breaking of the doors which often is caused bytheir striking an obstruction when the doors are open. To obviate this,I have devised a means whereby this is efiectively prevented, whichconsists in attaching to the door, by means of a suitable eye 26, astrap 1 27, having its other end fastened to a suit- 1 the strap 27 in aline with the seat to which 7 able extension spring 28, said strap beingpassed through an eye 29, secured to the corner of the frame of thecarriage adjacent and the hinged side of the door, thereby making thepull in the spring direct, and confining the springs 28 are secured: Thespring yields readily when the occupant of the car riage desires to openthe door, but is sufficiently strong to wholly or at least partiallyclose the door, bringing it within the line of the hubs therebyprotecting it from liability of being caught so as to break it. Theabove strap 27 acts as a stay strap when the door has been opened to thedesired distance, and a stop may be secured at the proper point on thestrap which will engage the eye-'29 and effect this result, releasingthe strain from the hinge.

The floor of my improved carriage is formed by a removable receptacle 30which is so built as to receive the front lights of glass when the topis down. If desired the case may be lined with any suitable material.

The rear portion of the top is held in its elevated position by theusual props when construoted-according to the form shown in thedrawings, Fig. l.

I have so constructed the front top hinged section as. to obviate thegreat difficulty there is in fastening said top section to the posts.This I accomplish by securing the top section 31 by a tapered pin 33carried thereby which engages a spring 34 secured in a socket 35 in theposts "32 so that the pin will readily find itself and the notch in thepins 33'wil1 be held in locked engagement with the springs 34, and thetop section and post will be locked, except when force is applied frombeneath, when the springs will yield readily to said force. Heretoforethe springing of the posts from their normal position have made it Verydifficult and often impossible to fasten the hinged section to theposts, as the catch and dowel pin would not register.

The carriage is provided with the usual lamps, fenders and steps, &o.

The operation of the various parts of my invention is obvious from theforegoing explanations in regard to the same.

It is obvious that slight changes in construction may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is i 1. In alandau or a similar type ofcarriage, a drivers seat, consisting of a reoeptaclehaving a hingedcover, said cover forming the seat, and said receptacle the boot, and afoot rest elevated so that the foot rest is above the back of the horseor horses, and the distance between them and the vehicle is shortened, abody, a king bolt situated so that the front wheels come into closeproximity to the well of the carriage body, a receptacle adapted toreceive the front lights when they are removed, a hinged front topsection having taper pins adapted to register with taper sockets in thefront corner posts, securing same in locked position, except when forceis applied, said pins engaging a spring in said socket, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a landau or similar type of carriage having a spring supportedbody, side bars attached thereto extending upwardly from the bolster,each of said side bars being forked, a seat comprising a boot orreceptaole,provided with a hinged cover supported by one member of saidfork, and a foot rest supweight of said parts to tend to counterbalance.

the weight of the body, said body being provided with a removablereceptacle, adapted to receive the front lights of glass when the top islowered, said top being hinged and provided with taper pins havingnotches, engaged by a spring confined with sockets formed in the frontcorner posts, said pins and sockets uniting the top section detaohablyto the posts substantially as described.

3. In a carriage, a drivers seat comprising a receptacle and a hingedcover, an open work seat support formed by the front side bars of thecarriage, said receptacle forming the boot substantially as described.

4. In a carriage a removable receptacle adapted to receive the frontlights of glass when the top islowered said receptacle forming the floorof the well of said carriage when formingthe floor of the well, havingsuitable supports, said supports. separating the several partscomprising the front lights of the carriage, said receptacle beingprovided with suitable straps, or handles, whereby said receptacle maybe removed substantially as described.

6. In a carriage door, a pocket formed therein a window frame sliding insaid groove, a counterbalance weight secured to said window, a pair ofhinged covers oppositely disposed to each other one upon either side ofthe pocket, said covers supporting the window when elevated and closingsaid pocket when the window frame is lowered into said pocket and meansfor operating said hinged covers substantially as described.

7. In a carriage door, a pocket formed therein, a window frame slidingin said groove, a counterbalance weight secured to said window, a pairof hinged covers oppo' sitely disposed to each other and parallel toeach other one upon either side of the pocket, said covers supportingthe window when elevated upon their meeting edges and closing saidpocket when the window frame is lowered into said pocket, and means foroperating said hinged covers substantially as described.

8. In combination with a carriage, a door having a pocket provided withgrooves, a window sliding in said groove, a sash cord, a counterbalanceweight attached thereto, a pair of hinged covers, a handle having armsprovided with cam shaped ends adapted to engage said hinged covers,thecovers supporting the window when elevated, and closing the pocketwhen lowered, substantially as described.

9. In a carriage havinga spring supported body, having front and rearside bars, said side i bars being secured to the rockers by means ofbolts passingthrough said rockers at the side bars, said rockerscomprising a wooden and metallic rocker placed side by side and saidmetallic rocker being provided with lips, extending over said woodenrocker at intervals and receiving one end of the securing boltssubstantially as described.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM F. DOWN EY.

\Vitnesses:

FLOYD V. BROOKS, WM. U. PRENTISS.

